We are an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the history, culture and true lives of Romani people worldwide.
We confront racism and oppression wherever we encounter it.
We try to make connections with all the "isms" that make up western culture.

Posted on October 4 2011
To
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
Director Morten Kjaerum
Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)
Nils Muiznieks, Chair, ECRI
Independent Expert on minority issues, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Ms. Rita Izsák
ODIHR Director Ambassador Janez Lenarcic
ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Andrzej Mirga

Respected,

This reaction expresses particular concern over the rise of violence and hatred toward Roma in Bulgaria, having in mind that Roma as citizens in EU Member state suffer great damage, loss of human dignity and represent innocent victims. The reality is that we have expansion of extreme violence, hatred and endangered fundamental rights in Bulgaria, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania. If 6 out of 27 Member states have violent riots and incidents toward Roma citizens, how do they respect, protect and fulfill basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The situation is more than alarming; I hope urgent actions will be from European institutions and dialogue at the highest level, and Roma officially elected representatives – expressed his concerns Mr. Asmet Elezovski.

Roma are no threat to public security and state order, and generalised assumptions of certain groups that Roma represent threat to public security are not enough convincible. Even worse is the fact that ethnic criteria are being used to explain criminal tendencies.

The mission of FRA “Helping to make fundamental rights a reality for everyone in EU” is not achieved in 6 countries.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) in September 2011 issued guidelines – contained in its thirteenth General Policy Recommendation – to the Council of Europe’s 47 member States to fight a rising tide of anti-Gypsyism and discrimination against Roma. All recommendations apply to Bulgaria as well, and should be seriously advocated to be implemented and monitored.

OSCE/ODIHR is not addresses emerging challenges or crisis situations affecting Roma and Sinti, e.g.,by conducting field visits in the wake of crises .

Security must be priority, and now security of European citizens Roma has been endangered Bulgaria as part of European Union. Urgent measures to eliminate and reduce the number of incidents must be applied and international institutions must condemn and publicly urge to stop all forms of violence and to act to support fundamental human rights. Racially motivated extremism is not the way to integration as we all are aware.

But we should be aware that out of 27 in 6 EU Member states Roma citizens are subject to cruel victimization, extremist violence and hatred. Our aim is not to repeat the same questions, but to demand urgent response and solutions!

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FLAG OF THE ROMA

LOLO DIKLO : RrOMANI AGAINST RACISM

Lolo Diklo : Rromani Against Racism is an organization dedicated to providing information about the true situation of the Romani (Gypsies) in the world today. We are committed to confronting racism and oppression wherever it is found.

BACKGROUND

The Romani are a people who are not very well known. We are an ethnic group of people originally from India. We left India and arrived in Europe sometime in the 1300's. There are many theories as to why we left India. This is the work of academics, and we have some. Most Romani are more concerned about daily survival to worry about documentation of our past. We know who we are.

What is known about the Romani is, for the most part, stereotypically based. We are portrayed as romantic, carefree wonderers or child stealers, pick pockets and beggers.

Today the Romani of Europe face the same discrimination they have faced for centuries.